Spencer-Owen School Board Approves Kyle Shipp As New High School Athletic Director

A Diverse Committee Interviews Final Four Of Eighty Applicants

by Travis Curry

SEW Editor

OVHS Principal Dr. Jeff Bond (left) and S-OCS Superintendent Greg Linton (right) had the honor of welcoming Kyle Shipp as the high school’s new athletic director Thursday night. (Staff Photo) “We went through an extensive search and were blessed to have over 80 applicants,” Owen Valley High School Principal Dr. Bond said, noting the applicants spanned from Maine to Arizona, including candidates from most of the states in between. “We interviewed 24 of those applicants and narrowed the field to the final four. Kyle Shipp was our overwhelming selection. He has a dynamic personality, and a long history of athletic participation and involvement.”

On the recommendation of Dr. Bond, the seven-member Spencer-Owen School Board unanimously approved Shipp as the new athletic director at OVHS, filling a slot left vacant following the recent retirement of John Heckman, whose name is synonymous with the high school’s tradition-rich athletic program.

“I have been involved with athletics since I was five years old,” Shipp wrote in his initial letter of interest submitted to the corporation. “Through these many sport endeavors I have learned how to work on winning every day with a great attitude and an unbelievable effort. I have a level of commitment unmatched, while I gain the trust of others through hard work. I care about not only wins and losses, but the process athletics takes us through. I care about the school, community, and getting to know the student-athlete better, while giving them life lessons along the way. I take pride in everything I do with an attitude to get better every day, while we work on winning each and every day.”

A 2005 graduate of Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis, Shipp most recently served as Dean of Attendance at Shelbyville High School where he had been on staff since August of 2006.

Prior to his role as Dean of Attendance, Shipp taught health education/physical education at the school, while also immersing himself in extra-curricular athletics including serving as the Golden Bears’ varsity baseball assistant/summer head coach, compiling an overall record of 20-7 since 2006, and various roles as varsity football coach, varsity assistant and special teams coordinator.

Shipp, who currently makes his home in Greenwood, also spent the past season as the high school’s junior varsity/varsity assistant girls’ basketball coach; served as a student council advisor; and sat on the school’s Health Advisory Council.

In his recommendation to the board, Dr. Bond noted that the position was posted in early May and closed on May 21.

A screening committee later interviewed 20 candidates over a period of three full days and narrowed the final consideration to four.

“A second committee consisting of OVHS student-athletes, coaches, alumni, administration and former players interviewed the final four candidates and overwhelmingly recommended Mr. Shipp,” Dr. Bond said. “Mr. Shipp’s extensive playing and coaching background, along with his dynamic personality, made him a perfect candidate for this position.”

Prior to beginning his teaching and coaching career, Shipp himself was a successful student-athlete at Whiteland Community High School, earning All-Johnson County honors in baseball, basketball and football, culminating in being selected as both Metro South Player of the Year and Johnson County Player of the Year in 1998.

His post high school career found Shipp suiting up for the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne as a defensive back from 1999-2000, a time that saw the Cougars win back-to-back conference championships.